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Vacay to Thailand end of December-January 2014

Vacay to Thailand end of December-January 2014

Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 07:07 AM
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Vacay to Thailand end of December-January 2014

My husband and I are looking to go on one more big adventure before starting a family! We are planning for about two weeks over there. We are an outgoing late 20s -early 30 bunch that is looking for good sightseeing, dining, beaches, neat hotels, as well as other outdoor adventures. What are good destinations in/around Thailand for that time of year? A friend who has been there said don't spend TOO much time in Bangkok as it is rather touristy and busy.

Should we get a travel agent? We had one for our honeymoon in South Africa and it was helpful for airport transfers, places to stay etc... but I do not want to be pigeon holed into that specific travel agents touring companies/ hotel deals etc. But is it doable on our own? I am so unfamiliar with Asia etc.

Any day trip suggestions, hotels, length of time at certain spots, places to eat/ fare suggestions are all helpful! thanks!
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 07:16 AM
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Your friend is ignorantly misguiding you. Bangkok is one of the greatest cities in the world. To miss it would be akin to going to a wonderful restaurant and not ordering a main course.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 07:18 AM
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First, lose your jitters and relax. You CAN do this sans a travel agent. Right here is the best place for advice on EVERYTHING. Please write with some clues to your high-level plans/desires to get pointed responses. My advice is to spend a couple of days exploring this forum (see my string, for example). I developed my entire plan and made reservations for hotels, airlines from US, airlines withing Thailand, transfers, etc based on sage advice and input right here.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 08:18 AM
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Bangkok touristy lol the city has more than 10m people. Most of the city is tourist free. Your friend must not have explored much. There are thousands of restaurants to choose from.

Krabi is great for outdoor stuff. Easy to book tours there.

Just book flights. Dont need a travel agent back home charging you double for tours. Thailand has thousands of travel agents selling tours. Many hotels have tour desks.

(The Bkk touristy comment is hilarious)
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 09:19 AM
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I agree with the other respondents - Bangkok is not to be missed. Temples, buddhas, markets, amazing street food along Silom and Convent Streets...

There are a ton of places that can book tours for you but it's very easy to get around. The skytrain (metro system) hits most of the main areas and taxis are pretty affordable. Bangkok traffic is sometimes very bad though so it's just easier to walk.

We researched and just booked things on our own. I'd also recommend Chiang Mai in the north - it's a smaller city with a different feel from Bangkok. Very easy to walk around, laid back feel. We went to Elephant Nature Park and took a cooking course while we were in Chiang Mai and we just booked with both places directly from their website or via email.

As far as Asia goes I've found Thailand to be one of the easier Asian countries to book and explore. You can book air, hotels, and tours all online from reputable companies. Enjoy the planning process!
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 09:59 AM
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Be aware that your time frame puts you in Thailand at the absolutely busiest and most expensive time of the year. If you can travel in January after the new year or in late Nov/early Dec it will cost you less.

No need to an agent - you can book all of this yourself.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 11:46 AM
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bkk is fab and has wonderful affordable hotels... end of year is however the most expensive time.. if you wait till about jan 5 prices will be less or leave Thailand before dec 20..

we love bkk riverside hotels: anantara riverside is our fav... renaissance in town is nice as is Conrad, hyatt, jw Marriott, 4 seasons, and many more..

serviced apartments are like hotels in bkk: Marriott sukhumvit park, Marriott mayfair, the ascott chain, emporium suites, chatrium riverside... more room and affordable

peninsula for a splurge

for beach: jw Marriott khao lak, Sheraton krabi, renaissance kp samui

we can help you every step of the way.. no TA needed!!

we need budget help from you

food is very easy in Thailand, btw.. all cuisines
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 11:47 AM
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that s/b ko samui
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 12:23 PM
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Book your flights, and then start to plan.
Thailand is magic, but unless you do your homework properly, Bangkok can turn out to be a bit too overwhelming.
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 07:26 AM
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Wow! thanks for all of the replies so far! As for budget... I am thinking maybe 7-10 thousand? for the both of us? The flight will be pricey I know, but I have heard it is a rather in-expensive country?

As for traveling in December, this is really the only time when my husband can use vacation. How much more expensive is this busy season compared to early January?

Also, to go from Bkk to lets say...ko samui or Chiang Mai.. does one travel by plane or train? What are some other "off the beaten path" places with beautiful views to look into?
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 07:57 AM
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From Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is very scenic with a lot of recent WWII history, plus it's easy to carry on from Kanchanaburi to the Myanmar border at Sangkthlaburi. To make the most of it independently, it'll take a bit of planning, but there's plenty of help on the 'net at the tip of your fingers.

For example, have a look at Seat61...

http://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-...m#.U9EsmuNdVEw
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 08:02 AM
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Is this your first trip to Asia?

How many nights total will you be on the ground in Asia?

None of the places you mention are off the beaten path. But that isn't necessarily bad - people go to these places for a reason. Tell us a bit about what you want out of this trip, what interests you? Do you want to see Buddhist temples or beaches (of course, you can see both)? are you interested in ancient ruins - would the temples at Angkor be of interest to you? More information enable us to be more helpful.

Some things to think about in terms of your planning: the effects of jet lag (this is basically a day for night switch), the heat, the sun, all of which will slow you down.

In general, if your time is short, plan to fly everywhere once you are there - flights are quick and pretty cheap. Prices in Thailand are quite reasonable. You can stay at a luxe hotel for the price of the Holiday Inn in the US.

In December/January you will want to look at a beach on the Andaman Sea - Phuket, Krabi, Khoa Lak, Khoa Lanta, etc, not Ko Samui.
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 08:06 AM
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Peak season is xmas and new year. Early Dec is the same as late Jan which is high season

It depends what hotels you aim at.

5 stars can go from $250 to $330. Premium ones may cost $400/600.

But there are heaps of 4 star bargains for like $80 to $130.

Booking.com
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 08:15 AM
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Off the path places:

Prachuap
Ban Krut
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Trang
Sai Yok
Ubon
Khong Chiam
Lampang
Phayao
Nan
Loei
Sangkhom
Khon Kaen
Kamphaeng Phet
Umphang
Ko Kood ( some rate it no 1 island in Asia)
Ko Maak
Trat
Surin
Mukdahan
Nakhon Phanom
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 08:47 AM
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jonesy100, Check kayak/vayama for tickets to Thailand. Air Asia for flights within Thailand. We are going to Thailand basically the same time as you are planning. Doing BKK, Krabi, and Chiang Mai. If not splurging, look for boutique hotels/B&Bs in Krabi and CM. I am going AirBnB in BKK. Pick your flights and destinations - all else will fall in place.
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 08:58 AM
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While it makes sense to search for tickets on kayak or vayama, buy your tickets directly from the airline. If there are problems - flight delays, whatever - you want to be able to deal with the airline directly. If you purchased from an intermediary like orbits, for instance, you will have to deal with the intermediary.

Air Asia does have inexpensive flights. As is is a budget airline, there are low limits on baggage, and you will save money by purchasing your baggage allowance online on their website. Sometimes there are so many extra charges, you are better off with a full service airline like Thai. Do your research.
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 01:28 PM
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with that budget you should be fine..

look at www.sawadee.com for examples of hotels costs

google some of the hotels I suggested above directly or plug in dates to expedia, or www.agoda.com

you fly everywhere in country: thai air or nok air or discounter air asia..

I would think the premium price might be 25%, depending on the day and xmas eve and ny's eve often require you to partake in a special very expensive, but delicious, dinner---but not all require that
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Old Jul 25th, 2014, 01:33 AM
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I booked Air Asia a few weeks ago, return flights from Bali to Yogyakarta, and purchased 15KG luggage for two of us in either direction at the same time.

Cost was 40,000 rupiah per 15 KG.
Total cost 160,000 rupiah
= GB£8.40
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Old Jul 25th, 2014, 06:33 AM
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The earlier you book with Air Asia, the lower the price. Also, they periodically have promotional fares like the one above. The only problem is if you have to change your flight...
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Old Jul 25th, 2014, 06:57 AM
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Last trip we flew Nok air several times. Prices the same or better than Air Asia and they have free wifi in the terminal.
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